Recognition of Tribe May Bring Shinnecock Casino to Hamptons

Federal recognition of a Native American tribe located in the Hamptons, on Long Island, may lead to gambling and a casino funding further tribal legal efforts to protect their ancestral lands.

After hundreds of years, the Shinnecock Tribe may finally be able to deal with their wealthy neighbors in the Hamptons as equals. A 32-year legal struggle has ended with federal recognition of the tribe, opening the way to tribal gaming and a Shinnecock casino amongst the haughty mansions.

Shinnecock leaders remain biter even after winning the lengthy battle to be formally listed as a tribe of Native Americans by the US government. Some think the influence of the billionaires who live around the tribe's tiny piece of the tony New York resort area was a major factor in holding back recognition for so long.

"Why do we need federal recognition to show we are who we are?" asked Tribal Trustee Lance Gumbs angrily. "It's a humiliating, degrading and insensitive process. Why do Indian people have to go through that?"

Now the Shinnecocks are eligible to receive government fundimng for schools, health care, and police services. And they have the right to operate a casino on their land.

Some predict the Shinnecock will use the leverage of their gambling rights to negotiate a casino location elsewhere on Long Island, But that will still open up incredible revenues for the tribe.

Now the other legal fights with which the tribe has struggled will be fought b y the best lawyers, paid for with gaming dollars earned by spinning slots. The Shinnecock Hillls golf course, which has hosted the US Open four times, sits on land sacred to the tribe. Now, gambling may make lawsuits to reclaim the land suddenly grow teeth.